Job Description

Location : Buffalo, NY
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 42350010
Department: COUNTY WIDE
Opening Date: 05/13/2025
Closing Date: 6/4/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
Exam fee: $15.00


Description
Erie County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to workplace diversity.

ALL CORRESPONDENCE REGARDING ONLINE APPLICATIONS WILL BE VIA EMAIL.

PAPER APPLICATIONS CONTAINING AN EMAIL ADDRESS WILL ALSO RECEIVE EMAIL CORRESPONDENCE.

IF NO EMAIL IS PROVIDED, PAPER NOTIFICATION WILL ARRIVE VIA USPS.

*Salaries vary among municipalities and districts.

RESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS: CANDIDATES MUST HAVE BEEN LEGAL RESIDENTS OF ERIE COUNTY OR AN ERIE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT* FOR AT LEAST ONE MONTH IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE DATE OF THE WRITTEN TEST AND MUST BE LEGAL RESIDENTS OF ERIE COUNTY OR AN ERIE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT* AT THE TIME OF APPOINTMENT. Preference may be given to successful candidates who have been residents of the municipality in which the appointment is to be made for one month preceding the date of the certification of the eligible list and who are residents of the municipality at the time of appointment. Non-residents may be required to become a resident of the appointing municipality if local law so states. * Candidates who reside in a school district which, for civil service purposes is administered by the Erie County Personnel Commissioner, but who are not legal residents of Erie County may apply for examination. However, they will be certified for appointment only in the school district in which they are legal residents.
There are multiple anticipated vacancies at Erie County school districts. *Salaries vary among municipalities and districts. The eligible list resulting from this examination will be used to fill these vacancies and other appropriate vacancies which may occur in municipalities or districts under the jurisdiction of Erie County Civil Service while this list is active.

Under current New York State Law, candidates seeking employment with school districts in New York State will be required to undergo fingerprinting and a criminal history background check prior to appointment. A processing fee may be required.

Examples of Duties
A Custodian performs a variety of cleaning, including mopping floors; washing walls, ceilings and windows; dusting woodwork and furniture; stripping and finishing floors; vacuuming and shampooing carpets; collecting and disposing of rubbish, etc.;

Performs semi-skilled maintenance and repair work, such as fixing or replacing broken shelving, hardware, glazing windows, and repairing window coverings; unplugging toilets, traps and sinks; replacing faucet washers, repair and adjust flush valves; replace blown fuses, switches, outlets, ballasts, light fixtures, etc.;

Maintains grounds by cutting grass, trimming shrubbery, raking leaves, removing snow, and maintaining power equipment used in this work;

Operates hot water and low pressure boilers, heating and ventilating systems and performs routine maintenance on heating and hot water equipment, such as replacing filters, periodically cleaning equipment and fire box to insure efficient operation, replacing or adjusting thermostats and related controls;

Replenishes lavatories, cleaning and other supplies;

Supervises lower level custodial personnel in cleaning and care activities;

Reports damages or needed maintenance repairs requiring a higher level repair capability;

May be required to serve as watch attendant;

May set up equipment and seating facilities for meetings, demonstrations, etc.

Minimum Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Candidates must meet one of the following requirements on or before the date of the written test:

A. Graduation from high school or vocational school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and one year of experience in either-commercial cleaning practice, or in general building maintenance which included experience in any one of the following trades; Carpentry, Electrical, H.V. and A. C. Systems, Plumbing; OR

B. Five years of experience in either-commercial cleaning practices, or in general building maintenance, which included experience in any one of the following trades: Carpentry, Electrical, H.V. and A.C. Systems, Plumbing; OR

C. An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of (A) and (B).

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Possession of a valid Class D New York State driver's license at the time of appointment.

NOTE:

1. Verifiable part-time and/or volunteer experience will be pro-rated toward meeting the experience requirements.

2. Under current New York State Law, candidates seeking employment with school districts in New York State will be required to undergo fingerprinting and a criminal history background check prior to appointment. A processing fee may be required.

Supplemental Information
A medical examination may be required before appointment.

VETERANS: PROOF OF SERVICE MUST BE SUBMITTED BEFORE LIST IS ESTABLISHED TO RECEIVE ADDITIONAL POINTS. (See application for more information.)

NOTICES TO APPEAR FOR THE EXAMINATION ARE MAILED APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE EXAMINATION DATE
NO CELL PHONES ARE PERMITTED AT THE EXAM SITE.
Examination date: July 12, 2025
Applications Must Be Postmarked or Hand Delivered By: June 4, 2025
Test Guide The New York State Department of Civil Service has published a test guide intended for candidate preparation use for this particular examination. Please see Custodians and Janitors Series, Entry-Level . This test guide contains important test-related information as well as sample test questions similar to the questions that will be used in this written test. The New York State Department of Civil Service is making a copy of this test guide and other related information available on its web site at . In addition, a copy of this test guide can also be obtained at our local civil service office. Please stop in the office at 95 Franklin Street, Room 604, Buffalo, NY 14202 or you may obtain a copy by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope (size required to accommodate the guide - manila 10" x 13") to the Erie County Personnel Department, 95 Franklin Street, Buffalo, New York 14202 or by picking one up in person at Room 604. Subjects of Examination:

SUBJECTS OF EXAMINATION: A written test designed to evaluate knowledge, skills and /or abilities in the following areas:

• CLEANING TOOLS AND THEIR USES: These questions test your knowledge of various cleaning tools and equipment commonly used by janitors and custodians on the job. You are shown drawings of various tools and equipment. You will be required to recognize the tools and know their proper uses in order to answer the questions correctly.
• TOOLS USED FOR MINOR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR: These questions test your knowledge of various tools and equipment. You are shown drawings of tools and equipment used in minor mechanical, electrical, plumbing and carpentry repair. You will be required to recognize the tools and know their proper uses in order to answer the questions correctly.
• HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES IN CUSTODIAL WORK: These questions test your knowledge of basic proper safety and health practices in areas of cleaning, building operation and maintenance and other areas relevant to custodians and janitors at the entrance level. You are presented with drawings showing situations of health and safety, which can be found in the work area. You are required to recognize any unhealthy, unsafe or otherwise hazardous conditions and know how to correct them in order to answer the questions.

NOTICE TO CANDIDATES : Unless otherwise noted, candidates are permitted to use quiet, hand-held, solar or battery powered calculators. Devices with typewriter keyboards, "Spell Checkers", " Personal Digital Assistants", "Address Books", "Language Translators", "Dictionaries", or any similar devices are prohibited. You may not bring books or other reference materials.

NOTICE TO CANDIDATES WHO ARE ALSO TAKING ANOTHER CIVIL SERVICE EXAM(S) ON THIS DATE (See Below)
(IF YOU ARE TAKING 2 OR MORE ERIE COUNTY EXAMS ON THIS DATE IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO CALL)
INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES

HOW TO APPLY: Either online by clicking "Apply" on the top right of the online exam announcement or by printing a paper application from erie.gov, or if you do not have internet access you may pick up an application form at the Erie County Personnel Department, 95 Franklin Street, Room 604, Buffalo, New York 14202. Forms are also available at Buffalo and Erie County Public Libraries and at Town, Village and School District administrative offices.
Completed forms should then be returned to the Erie County Personnel Department. In addition, candidates must request their colleges to send transcripts to the Erie County Personnel Department or attach transcripts to your application. No applications will be evaluated until all the above information, including transcripts, is received.
MILITARY STATUS: Active-duty military personnel may file an application for this exam. A special military make-up examination will be conducted for any member of the armed forces of the United States who has duly filed a timely application but who was deprived of the opportunity to compete in the scheduled exam due to active military duty. Special conditions apply to these requests and may be reviewed at the Erie County Department of Personnel.

VETERANS: Disabled and non-disabled veterans as defined in Section 85, New York State Civil Service Law, will have 10 and 5 points, respectively added to their earned scores if successful in the OPEN examination. You must claim these credits when you file application, but you have an option to waive them any time prior to appointment. If you have already used these credits for a permanent position in NYS, you may not claim them again.

In conformance with section 85-a of the Civil Service Law, CHILDREN OF FIREFIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY shall be entitled to receive an additional ten points in a competitive examination for original appointment in the same municipality in which his or her parent has served. If you are qualified to participate in this examination and are a child of a firefighter or police officer killed in the line of duty in this municipality, please inform this office of this matter when you submit your application for examination. A candidate claiming such credit has a minimum of two months from the application deadline to provide the necessary documentation to verify additional credit eligibility. However, no credit may be added after the eligible list has been established.

SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS: Applicants whose religious beliefs prevent their taking examinations before sundown on Saturday and physically handicapped candidates who require special examination facilities should so inform the Erie County Department of Personnel, by a separately mailed letter at the earliest possible date before the test.

MORE THAN ONE EXAM ON THE SAME DAY: If you have applied for more than one exam on the same day you MUST make arrangements to take ALL of the examinations at ONE examination test site. If you have applied for both STATE and LOCAL government examinations taking place on the same day, you must take all of your examinations at the STATE examination center. If you have applied for both COUNTY and CITY government examinations taking place on the same day, you must take all of your examinations at the COUNTY examination center. You are responsible to notify EACH Civil Service Agency no later than TWO WEEKS before the examination date on which you are taking multiple examinations by submitting a Cross-Filer form; EACH Civil Service Agency has their own Cross-Filer form. The Erie County Cross-Filer form can be found at If you are taking multiple exams on the same date with Erie County only, you do not have to file a Cross-Filer form.

Candidates taking more than one exam in DIFFERENT exam series will be allowed the specified length of time for each exam, up to a maximum of eight hours. Example: If you are taking one exam which allows six hours and another exam in a different series which allows four hours, you must complete both tests in eight hours, but no more time can be spent on each exam than the time allotted for that exam. Candidates taking more than one exam in the SAME exam series will be allowed up to the specified length of time for each exam. Example: If you are taking two exams in the same series with a maximum time of five hours for each exam, you can spend no more than five hours to complete both exams.

ADMISSION TO EXAMINATION: Notice to appear for the test will be conditional as review of application for minimum requirements may not be made until after the written test. Call or write this Department if you have not received your notice 3 days before the date of the test. You may not be admitted to the examination room without official notice.

RATINGS REQUIRED: Tests are rated on a scale of 100 with a passing mark at 70. Unless the announcement states otherwise, you must pass the written test and the oral test, if any. Test instructions may further divide the tests into parts and set minimum standards for each part.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE: If a subject of the examination, training and experience may not be rated if all passing candidates are expected to be immediately reachable for appointment. If rated, training and experience will be based on the statements in your application subject to verification. If this examination includes a qualifying written test, candidates admitted to the test will have conditional approval only. Final decision regarding the qualifications of candidates rests with the New York State Department of Civil Service.

MEDICAL EXAMINATION: You may be required to take a medical examination to determine if you are medically and physically capable of performing the duties of the position. In accordance with State Law, Governor's Executive Order 6, and Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended the County of Erie does not discriminate against handicapped persons in access to employment, during employment, or in any of its programs and activities.

VERIFICATION OF QUALIFICATIONS: Candidates may be investigated or called for an interview to verify information contained on the application. Verifiable part-time and/or volunteer experience may be pro-rated toward meeting full-time experience requirements.

ELIGIBLE LIST: The eligible list resulting from an examination may also be used for appointment to the same title or to any other title deemed to be similar and appropriate. Eligible lists are active for a minimum of one year and a maximum of four years from the date established.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION (*including psychological evaluation when required by position): Candidates may be subject to a thorough background investigation or psychological evaluation when required to determine eligibility for appointment. Applicants may be required to authorize access to educational, employment, criminal history and other records check as part of such investigation or participate in related tests or interviews. Criminal convictions or other offense are subject to evaluation and may result in disqualification pursuant to Section 50 of the New York State Civil Service Law. Applicant will be required to submit the necessary fees for the fingerprint processing, where required. (*If a psychological evaluation is required, it shall be specified in the minimum qualifications or special requirements for the position.)

**IMPORTANT APPLICATION FEE - READ CAREFULLY**

A $15.00 filing fee is required for this exam. The required fee must accompany your application. Send or bring check or money order made payable to Erie County Personnel Department and write the examination number(s) on your check or money order. Do not send or bring cash, as the County cannot be responsible for cash payment. As no refund will be made, you are urged to compare your qualifications carefully with the requirements for admission and file only for those examinations for which you are clearly qualified.

APPLICATION FEE WAIVER: A waiver of application fee will be allowed if you are unemployed and primarily responsible for the support of a household. In addition, a waiver of application fee will be allowed if you are determined eligible for Medicaid, or receiving Supplemental Security Income payments, or Public Assistance (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families/Family Assistance or Safety Net Assistance) or are certified Job Training Partnership Act/Workforce Investment Act eligible through a State or local social service agency.

All claims for application fee waiver are subject to verification. If you can verify eligibility for application fee waiver, complete a "Request for Application Fee Waiver and Certification: form and submit it with your application by the close of business on the Application Deadline as listed on the Examination Announcement. The form is available at the Erie County Personnel Department, 95 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY (Room 604) or can be downloaded from the County's website atClick on "County Departments and Agencies", then "Erie County Civil Service."

This examination is prepared and rated by the New York State Department of Civil Service,
and held in compliance with the New York State Civil Service Law
and the rules and regulations of the New York State Department of Civil Service.
BENEFITS OFFERED TO FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES

REPRESENTED BY CSEA IN ERIE COUNTY

HEALTH BENEFITS

Erie County offers comprehensive health insurance plans through the Labor-Management Healthcare Fund (LMHF), administered by Univera Healthcare. Eligible employees can choose from the following plans:

• Enhanced Plan (POS 202)
• Core Plan (POS 203)
• Value Plan (POS 204)
• Bronze High Deductible Plan (POS 8200)

Plan Details:

• Value Plan (POS 204): This is the default plan for all new employees. These employees are required to contribute 15% of the plan's premium through pre-tax payroll deductions.
• Enhanced Plan (POS 202) & Core Plan (POS 203): Employees opting for these plans must pay the difference in cost between their selected plan and the employer's contribution toward the Value Plan.
• Bronze High Deductible Plan (POS 8200): Available to all employees regardless of hire date, the County covers 100% of the premium for this plan. It features a $2,000 individual / $4,000 family deductible and includes preventive services covered in full.

Health Insurance Waiver

Full-Time employees who waive participation in the County's health insurance plan and are not covered by another County health insurance plan receive, in lieu of the insurance, $500 per month for Family Coverage or $200 per month for Individual Coverage.

Dental Insurance:

Full-time employees represented by CSEA in Erie County receive dental coverage through the CSEA Employee Benefit Fund (EBF). The County contributes $22.13 per bi-weekly pay period for single coverage and $72.69 for family coverage.

Health Flexible Spending Account:

Erie County offers a Health Flexible Spending Account (FSA), allowing employees to set aside up to a maximum amount set by the IRS each year in pre-tax dollars for eligible medical, dental, and vision expenses.

PAID TIME OFF

• Holidays: 12 paid holidays annually, including Juneteenth and Election Day.
• Vacation Leave:
  1. Starts at 10 days per year, increases to up to 30 days with years of service.
  2. Can be accrued up to 25 days; unused vacation is payable upon separation.
  3. Eighty (80) hours of unused vacation time can be sold back annually, subject to minimum balance requirements.
• Sick Leave:
  1. Accrues at 15 days per year (4.62 hrs per pay period).
  2. Unused sick leave may be accrued up to 300 days (for employees hired after August 7, 2014).
• Personal Leave:
  1. Four days per year (for employees hired after August 7, 2014).
• Bereavement Leave: Up to four paid days for immediate family.

RETIREMENT

New York State and Local Employees' Retirement System

• Eligible employees are enrolled in the New York State and Local Employees' Retirement System (NYSLRS, administered by the Office of the State Comptroller. NYSLRS is one of the largest and most secure public pension systems in the United States, providing over one million public employees, retirees, and beneficiaries with reliable, lifetime retirement income, disability protection, and death benefits. All employees are eligible to join, and full-time permanent employees are required to join.
• An employee's tier is determined by their date of membership; employees who joined on or after April 1, 2012, are classified as Tier 6 members. Tier 6 members become vested after 5 years of credited service, with an option to retire as early as age 55.
• Tier 6 members are required to contribute between 3% and 6% of gross reportable earnings for all years of public service. Contribution rates are determined based on annual wage and are adjusted annually on April 1.

Deferred Compensation Plan

Erie County offers a 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan administered by Corebridge Financial (formerly AIG/VALIC). This plan is a voluntary, employee-funded program designed to supplement an employee's retirement savings. Employees can contribute up to 100% of their salary on a pre-tax or Roth after-tax basis, not exceeding the annual IRS limit. (For 2025, the contribution limit is $23,500.)

WORK SCHEDULE

• Employees work a standard schedule that includes a paid one-hour lunch period each workday.
• Eligible employees receive overtime pay at one and one-half times their regular rate for hours worked beyond their standard work schedule. Alternatively, employees may opt to accrue compensatory time in lieu of overtime pay, up to a maximum of 120 hours. Unused compensatory time is payable upon separation.
• Shift Differential Pay: Employees working non-standard shifts receive additional compensation:
  1. Second Shift: An additional $1.75 per hour.
  2. Third Shift: An additional $2.25 per hour.

TRANSPORTATION BENEFITS

Flexible Spending Accounts

• Transit Commuter Benefits Account: Save on commuting expenses, including Metro trains and buses, commuter trains, ridesharing, etc. with a pre-tax paycheck deduction. Employees may deduct an IRS-set amount each month for combined commuter highway vehicle transportation and transit passes.
• Parking Commuter Benefits Account: Save on work-related parking expenses with a pre-tax paycheck deduction. Employees may deduct an IRS-set amount each month for qualified parking.

Parking Reimbursement

Full-time employees regularly assigned to work locations without free parking receive a $40 per month reimbursement for parking expenses.

OTHER BENEFITS

• Compensation & Step Increases: Employees receive scheduled step increases based on their length of service, in accordance with the CSEA collective bargaining agreement. Step advancements typically occur annually for five years, and less frequent longevity increases thereafter.
• Employee Discount Program - PerkSpot: Erie County employees have access to PerkSpot, an exclusive online discount platform offering savings on a wide range of products and services.
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA): Erie County offers a DCFSA, allowing employees to set aside up to $5,000 pre-tax dollars to cover eligible dependent care expenses.
• On-Site Fitness Center: The Rath Building features an on-site fitness center available to County employees. This facility provides convenient access to exercise equipment and wellness resources.
• Employee Assistance Program: Erie County provides a confidential Employee Assistance Program through eviCore, offering support for various personal and work-related challenges.
• Percipio Online Learning Platform: Through the Skillsoft Percipio platform, employees have access to thousands of online courses, eBooks, and videos.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: As a public sector employee, you may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, which forgives the remaining balance on Direct Loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan.
• Additional Paid Time Off: Employees are entitled to paid time off to (a) take promotional and open competitive civil service examinations administered by Erie County, (b) cancer screenings (up to four hours annually), and (c) donate blood (up to four hours annually).
• Commitment to Internal Promotion: Erie County strongly supports career advancement and promotion from within. Civil service promotional opportunities are posted internally, and eligible employees are encouraged to apply.

Erie County, NY

Job Tags

Hourly pay, Weekly pay, Holiday work, Permanent employment, Full time, Temporary work, Second job, Local area, Immediate start, Flexible hours, Shift work, Saturday, Afternoon shift,

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